That he checks the divine will expressed through oracles and prophets is the way in which Oedipus follows the model of the divine king in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).
Specifically, Theban King Oedipus thinks that he is the son and heir apparent of Corinthian monarchs Polybus and Merope. In reality, he is the son of Theban monarchs Laius and Jocasta. Either way, Oedipus is royal and therefore divinely descended. Consequently, he tries to harmonize his rule with divine will. To that end, he checks in with Apolline oracles and Theban prophets regarding significant personal and professional events. Although the oracular and prophetic information may prompt him to disobey, Oedipus tries to carry out what the gods want done with the world that is under their sway.
That they consult and carry out the will of the gods is the way in which Oedipus and Creon follow the tradition of the divine king in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, a divine king is descended from the gods whose ultimate authority he respects and seeks to understand and carry. For example, Theban rulers Oedipus and Creon are both descendants of Cadmus, founding king of Thebes and grandson of the sea god Poseidon. They therefore rule to make sure that what the gods want done with the divinely created world in fact is what gets done. Consequently, they consult prophets and oracles regarding the fated course of significant personal and professional events and the recommended reactions to these events and the suggested solutions to any related or ensuing problems.
From a divine curse Oedipus rescues Thebes in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Oedipus rescues Thebes twice from a divine curse. The first takes place when he solves a riddle and thereby defeats the monstrous Sphinx that has all Thebes terrified. The second takes place when Theban King Oedipus ends the pestilence by identifying the killer of his royal predecessor, King Laius. Both curses are divine in origin, and both are leveled against Thebes for not carrying out mandatory cleansing rituals in the aftermath of a king's murder, a serious offense in ancient Greece.
Divine ill will towards Labadacus'descendants is Oedipus' curse in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Labdacus is King Oedipus' paternal grandfather. He gets cursed by, and meets with an early violent death because of, Dionysos the wine god. Angry gods do not give up until they ruin things for Labdacus' son King Laius and his grandson King Oedipus.
people will be punished if they want to question divine authorities
Teiresias is the seer in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. -- 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Teiresias is the blind seer of Thebes. He is Thebes' wisest citizen because of his vast experience and expertise. His experience includes advice to every king since Thebes' founding by Theban King Oedipus' great-great-grandfather Cadmus. His expertise extends from divine blessings (despite equally divine curses) to innate knowledge to skills in interpreting divine will as expressed in ritual sacrifices.
Killing his father and marrying his mother is Oedipus' fate in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Theban King Oedipus hears his fate from the Delphic oracle. The oracle is respected throughout ancient Greece for her insights into divine will and fate. She says that Oedipus is fated to kill his father and marry his mother.
Oedipus.
That he serves a god not a king is the reason why Teiresias is not afraid of Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, Teiresias the blind prophet carries the total knowledge of Thebes' past, present and future within his person. He is gifted at interpreting divine will through ritual sacrifice and in interpreting events. He serves Apollo the god of prophecy, not Oedipus the king of Thebes.
"Rex" is Latin for "King". Oedipus Rex means "Oedipus the King".
Oedipus the King (Oedipus Tyrannus) was written by Sophocles c.430 BC.
it was king Laius, Oedipus' real father.
Yes, Creon is fair to Oedipus in "Oedipus Rex" by Sophocles (495 B.C.E. - 405 B.C.E.).Specifically, disgraced Theban King Oedipus is supposed to be sequestered from everyone and placed under house arrest pending divine judgment. Creon, his brother-in-law and royal successor, lets Oedipus meet with his young daughters. He refuses to promise Oedipus exile over execution and the company of his daughters over blind loneliness. Such decisions trespass into divine domain, something that the gods never forget or forgive.